NUFC owner Mike Ashley's firm Sports Direct is going up against rival JD Sports with plans to branch into fitness

The sportswear firm has bought out the gyms from Yorkshire-headquartered LA Fitness, a move which follows on from speculative talks with the leisure firm in which it was reported to be acquiring leases on some 30 branches.

Ashley’s firm is also planning to open three in-store gyms later this year.

The retailer has also revealed it plans to open three in-store gyms later this year, in Liverpool, St Helens and Keighley.

The 13 sites – including four in the Midlands, three in the South East, two in London, two in the North West, one in the South West and one in Scotland – are set to rebranded as Sports Direct Fitness.com and will be opened as standalone gyms.